Today I'm talking with Melissa Burnham from Embers Igniting. Melissa is a writer herself and sees editing as a partnership, walking beside writers through the editing process, encouraging growth while respecting their unique style and explaining the “why” behind her suggestions.

Melissa is offering a 2000 word sample edit for Pencils&Lipstick listeners. Just mention the podcast in the contact form at: https://www.embersigniting.com/contact/

Be sure to download the Rock-Solid Fiction Foundations Workbook. https://www.embersigniting.com/

Join Rebecca Dolence and me for the workshop Symbolism: Utilizing Mythical Creatures in Storytelling on May 20th at 1pm EST. https://writeyourstory.thrivecart.com/symbolism-workshop/

This week I am talking with author Nancy Christie. She got her start in journalism and has written nonfiction, short stories and novels. Nancy's fiction and nonfiction books explore the subject of change — the challenges in transitioning (physically or emotionally) from one place to another, the sense of loss that develops when the landscape of life undergoes a metaphorical shift and the importance of finding the strength and courage to move forward. Find out more about Nancy and her books at https://www.nancychristie.com/books/ Check out Nancy's YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@midlifemoxienovelseries3804

Across the English Channel will be out May 28th! Pre-order it here: https://www.amazon.com/Across-English-Channel-Stepping-Book-ebook/dp/B0F6QGS6M2/ See the reviews coming in here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232279941-across-the-english-channel

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Check them out here: https://www.curios.com/authors/ or as a reader here: https://marketplace.curios.com/

The ARC copies are going out today but there's still time to sign up if you want! Just click here: https://katcaldwell.com/ARC-historical-romance

Find and support me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.com

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://katcaldwell.com/readers You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Launch My Book, Inc. was founded in 2013 by Joel Pitney. A writer by training with a background in digital marketing, he helped launch his first book onto the New York Times Bestseller list, and soon began working with a wide range of authors to help bring their books to the world. Since then, Launch My Book has grown in scope to help support authors through every stage of the book launching process.

Check them out and reserve a chat with them at launchmybook.com

Want to be an ARC reader for my historical romance? Click and share the link: https://katcaldwell.com/ARC-historical-romance

Find and support me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.com

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Today we are talking all about blurbs! After this episode I'm betting you'll feel more confident in your abilities to understand them, as well as write them. Let's go!!

Jessie Cunniffe is a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach from Sydney, Australia. A passionate advocate of the indie author community, Jessie has dedicated herself to taking the pain out of blurb-writing with her custom blurb services and two signature courses: Book Blurb Magic and The Spicy Blurb Playbook. When she’s not writing or dreaming up the next BBM product, Jessie can be found journaling, exploring new ocean pools, and playing her guitar. On the occasion that Jessie manages to snatch some reading time, she’s probably buried in P. G. Wodehouse or Agatha Christie.

Grab your freebie by signing up for Jessie's mailing list here: https://www.bookblurbmagic.com/ Don't forget to wait a moment for that discount to show up for the course!

Want to be an ARC reader for my historical romance? Click and share the link: https://katcaldwell.com/ARC-historical-romance

Find and support me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.com

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Want to be an ARC reader for my historical romance? Click and share the link: https://katcaldwell.com/ARC-historical-romance

Check out curios.com, Check out Manuscript Report https://katcaldwell.com/manuscript-report and use code KAT5 for $5 off.

Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.com Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Rebecca Pickens is a certified book coach, editor, and host of Self-Editing Essentials, a group coaching program for writers with finished or almost finished manuscripts, who want to learn more about the editing process. She works with writers at all stages of the creative journey to help them start, finish, and get their stories into the hands of their ideal readers. Find out more about Rebecca and sign up for her newsletter here: https://rebecca-pickens-coaching.kit.com/freenewsletter

Get your free gift from Rebecca here:

Your story’s first pages are like a firm introductory handshake or a smile with dimples. Their job is to dazzle and impress. This complimentary workbook and video series is designed to help you craft your story’s boldest beginning. Discover the key elements literary agents look for when they review a manuscript, and learn to keep readers engaged so they'll turn the next page. https://rebecca-pickens-coaching.kit.com/fabulousfirstpage?_gl=

Set up a time to chat with Rebecca here: https://rebeccapickens.lpages.co/self-editing-essentials-group-coaching-for-fiction-memoir-writers/

Join Rebecca for a free weekly community writing sprint. Each week, the group opens and closes with short check-ins. In between, there is time to write for an hour. Visit this link to be added to the invite list. https://rebecca-pickens-coaching.kit.com/story_circle?_gl=

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter.

Sign up for my Substack, Lessons in Story https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Lynn Bohart is a mystery writer that probably has the BEST author newsletter for crime and mystery writers that exists, but she has switched to YA. Why? Let's find out in this episode!

Get her latest book, Case of the Missing Will: A Teen Mystery Adventure, here: https://www.lynnbohart-author.com/books

Find out more about Lynn and sign up for her amazing newsletter here: https://www.lynnbohart-author.com/

Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.com

Contact me at https://katcaldwell.com and let me know who you want on the show!

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing